It was hard to believe that Fashion Week was starting in mere days as we entered Kaelen’s studio. Her dog snoozed on her bed — positioned next to run-of-show boards and racks of polished looks — while music played lightly and Kaelen Haworth, the mastermind behind the line, greeted us with an upbeat and enthusiastic smile.
Bright colored pieces jumped off the hangers to us and we were eager to dive right in and ask about the development of the Spring 2013 collection.
“There’s a book by Jean-Paul Goude called So Far, So Goude,” the designer told us. “It was the whole Grace Jones section of his life when they did the covers together. It’s not a literal interpretation. It’s not mean to feel retro but really powerful. I think I was trying to do something that at once familiar but also a little foreign.” Lightweight fabrics seemed key to offer an update to the references as well as non-traditional tones.
Haworth may be a young face in the industry — she launched her namesake line two years ago — but she already has established her own niche and has been drawing increasing numbers of fans thanks to her flattering and sophisticated designs.
“[The industry] has been really great to me,” she divulged, “I’m sure there are elements that are what outside people would assume, but I’ve never had bad experiences.”
While many young designers might love to partner with retailers, Haworth is taking the less taken path. “I haven’t thought in terms of retail or design collabs, I never have,” she confesses. “I think more about people who I’d to work with behind-the-scenes to get it to that point. I’ve been working my stylist, Ava Zuckerman, for all the shows and it’s really nice to work with someone and it is very much a collaboration. [It's great to] work with someone who you know and trust, but also to work with new people and have someone challenge something you may not have thought of doing.”
Read on to see behind-the-scenes photos of her studio and her tips on becoming a fashion designer.
